Help!

[cobratwin]

Hi guys ,
i was in bed and something hit me like a hammer, and im hopping one or two of you might be able to help me out.....

An idea has formed in my tinny little mind that Might ...just Might be the best thing since mobile phones....
and i need to talk to someone, well a couple people..
first i need to speak to someone who is technically minded someone who knows electronics and ....programming?
and secondly i need to speak to someone who know Patents and how they work...

anyone able to lend an ear, some advice, some help..???

 

[conaero]

If its programming you need to speak to SM's very own web monkey. Don't know about patents, but its a start.

Trev not in today/tomorrow but give me a call on the mobile on Friday during work hours.

 

[cobratwin]

cheers Matt will do,
prob a pipe dream or a really stupid idea but u never know.

 

[2b1ask1]

There is nothing stupid ever about an original idea.... Turning that EUREKA moment into money is the difficult part but stick with it, I can get you details of a reliable patent attorney when you need them.

Suggest you lodge the original idea as a copy write first even at this stage. This can be as simple as a brief statement and description of the idea in an envelope and placed with your bank or solicitor as a copy write for safe keeping. They do not need to open it or know the content but in a legal challenge you can produce it dated as evidence of the idea. Particularly useful where intellectual property writes are an issue.

With respect to Trevor and Matt's offer also ensure you set out a clear understanding from day one that you maintain all IPR's for the project, you may even want to draft a non-disclosure agreement as well and I would urge you to do that.

Good luck fella...

 

[cobratwin]

wow ,, ok,

thank you will get on it.

 

[Parisien]

Dave...you should never take a hammer to bed with you........esp when you can get hit with it...............however on this occasion we will let you off!



P

PS The forum is on 15% of profits in perpetuity......................you didn't read the terms and conditions of membership did you!!!!!

 

[rossyl]

With respect to Trevor and Matt's offer also ensure you set out a clear understanding from day one that you maintain all IPR's for the project, you may even want to draft a non-disclosure agreement as well and I would urge you to do that.

Good luck fella...

The above part is key. You must protect your intellectual property.

You should get anyone you discuss the project with to enter a written Confidentiality Agreement. You would be surprised the number of friendships destroyed over great ideas (just look at recent film adaptations). Within the Confidentiality Agreement it needs to be clear that you maintain all IPR of the idea, or borne out of the idea. You should be able to find a Confidentiality Agreement online.

I do not know about patents, but I suggest you speak to an Intellectual Property lawyer at a large City of London firm (or one of their nationwide offices usually in Leeds, Manchester, or Bristol) and tell them you would like brief preliminary (free) advice whilst you work out the feasibility of the idea, you must tell them that should your idea take off you will go to that alw firm for the work that you will pay for. Have a look in Chambers and Partners of Legal 500 under Intellectual Property for good firms. I would not start at the Number 1 ranked. Start at the middle and then just call them all at random (including the ones at the top should you not have had any luck). Expect some people not to be interested, but I reckon you'll get at least one bite and all you need do is make a phone call - costs you nothing. Some are used to supporting start-up's. You can aslo ask them about the Confidentiality Agreements.

The above is not legal advice and cannot be relied on, it is just my personal thoughts.

 

[jamesc69]

Hi guys ,
i was in bed and something hit me like a hammer, and im hopping one or two of you might be able to help me out.....

An idea has formed in my tinny little mind that Might ...just Might be the best thing since mobile phones....
and i need to talk to someone, well a couple people..
first i need to speak to someone who is technically minded someone who knows electronics and ....programming?
and secondly i need to speak to someone who know Patents and how they work...

anyone able to lend an ear, some advice, some help..???

I hope you have very deep pockets !

As mentioned above Copyright is a good starting point, but if you are serious about your invention you will be advised by Intellectual property "experts" to issue Patents in all the territories you would expect to "sell" your idea. Not cheap believe me.

My company has a patented product protected accross Europe. In the 12th year of the patent life i recon our total patent application fees and manintenance costs must be north of £90,000 !

I must admit that i am very cynical about the whole patent system. Your secret is out as soon as your Patent is public !! Al details are in the public domain. The Patent Lawyers will encourage you to cover as many territories as possible.

Unless you have the financial means to defend a potential patent infringement I would not bother. It is possible to take our intellectual property insurance, but again this is ridiculously expensive if you are to insure to anything like realistic legal defending costs.

Sorry to sound so negative but i would consider licensing your idea to an Industry leader in your sector.

James

 

[rossyl]

I hope you have very deep pockets !

As mentioned above Copyright is a good starting point, but if you are serious about your invention you will be advised by Intellectual property "experts" to issue Patents in all the territories you would expect to "sell" your idea. Not cheap believe me.

My company has a patented product protected accross Europe. In the 12th year of the patent life i recon our total patent application fees and manintenance costs must be north of £90,000 !

I must admit that i am very cynical about the whole patent system. Your secret is out as soon as your Patent is public !! Al details are in the public domain. The Patent Lawyers will encourage you to cover as many territories as possible.

Unless you have the financial means to defend a potential patent infringement I would not bother. It is possible to take our intellectual property insurance, but again this is ridiculously expensive if you are to insure to anything like realistic legal defending costs.

Sorry to sound so negative but i would consider licensing your idea to an Industry leader in your sector.

James

James that is rather a negative view, although an important one with regard to patent.

UK intellectual property law extends far beyond patents. The common inventor without much experience has an idea and then immediately runs to try and patent it, not knowing the drawn out and expensive process that ensues. The point is that there are many other types of intellectual property that afford the inventor protection, copyright, design rights, etc.

This is why i said to got to a decent law firm specialising in intellectual property - this is a different proposition to a "patent attorney".

Initial planning is key to avoid big bills and lost opportunities, whilst trying to discover if your initial idea is feasible. If it attracts attention, funding is the next ball game.

Forget everything you've watch on TV (especially Dragon's Den!). Licensing your idea is cannot be deemed the best proposition unless you know the product.

If you need any help PM me. Again the above is not legal advice and cannot be relied on, it is just my personal thoughts.

 

[hodroyd]

All very good advice. I patented an idea many years ago now and due to the staggering costs of trying to cover all markets, I didn't. As it turned out, if someone out there thinks it is a good idea and has deep pockets, they can alter the design very slightly and issue a patent themselves for the similar idea. Then you have a choice, kill yourself financially fighting your corner, give in, or pass to a licenced company who can take up the fight.
You need advice mate..!!

 

[jamesc69]

James that is rather a negative view, although an important one with regard to patent.

UK intellectual property law extends far beyond patents. The common inventor without much experience has an idea and then immediately runs to try and patent it, not knowing the drawn out and expensive process that ensues. The point is that there are many other types of intellectual property that afford the inventor protection, copyright, design rights, etc.

This is why i said to got to a decent law firm specialising in intellectual property - this is a different proposition to a "patent attorney".

Initial planning is key to avoid big bills and lost opportunities, whilst trying to discover if your initial idea is feasible. If it attracts attention, funding is the next ball game.

Forget everything you've watch on TV (especially Dragon's Den!). Licensing your idea is cannot be deemed the best proposition unless you know the product.

If you need any help PM me. Again the above is not legal advice and cannot be relied on, it is just my personal thoughts.

Hi Rossyl

My "negative" view comes from my own 12 years experience patenting just one production process in various European territories. I accept patents are just one aspect of intellectual property but suspect that if cobratwin's idea is a novel product or process then a patent is the most suitable form of protection.

I agree that it is best to seek intial advice from a decent law firm specialising in intellectual property but my cynical mind would suspect the impartiality of some of the advice ! The financial commitment to apply for, have granted, and maintain patents (20 years) in multiple territories should not be underestimated.

My main problem with patents is that unless you have the financial means to defend against an infringer your bright new idea is out there in the public domain and your patent may not worth a carrot if your cannot afford to defend it !

And as for infringers based in China, dont get me started !

Just my two cents

 

[rossyl]

And as for infringers based in China, dont get me started !!

Just my two cents !

Haha indeed. Oh and don't forget the middle east!

 

[cobratwin]

Thanks for all the reply's guys ,
unfortunately its a dead fish, ive spent the last couple days trying to find what i thought up on the internet to see if it was viable and when i was looking i have found someone has already done it

but thanks again

 

[Parisien]

Oh well.......we will await the next hammer blow Dave!!!

P

 

[hodroyd]

Great minds think alike...!!!!

 

[cobratwin]

lol my first ever one was using for helicopters back in the late 80's, use the exhaust gasses instead of a tail rotor.
was to young to know anything so just had it written down on peace of paper with diagrams! , then a few years later i see them on helicopters.
taken me this long to have another idea and its already done pmsl

 

[hodroyd]

Dave,
Never mind mate, we have all been there, keep the brain working and you never know what will pop up..!
Cheers
R

 

[lozcb]

Ive got had one LOL for a good few years and Its a blinder , i too need an electronic whizz kid , we have one in the family but he's not whizzy enough unfortyunately , contemplated goiung the patent route and have had searches done at the cost £450 smackers , and nope it hasn't been thought of or applied as of last year , Its a an idea that i bet would enhance the lives of every TV watcher


Wanted ................... a whizzier electronics guru pronto


regards loz

 

[lozcb]

Ive got had one LOL for a good few years and Its a blinder , i too need an electronic whizz kid , we have one in the family but he's not whizzy enough unfortyunately , contemplated goiung the patent route and have had searches done at the cost £450 smackers , and nope it hasn't been thought of or applied as of last year , Its a an idea that i bet would enhance the lives of every TV watcher


Wanted ................... a whizzier electronics guru pronto


regards loz

Something along the lines of these lol

 

[Parisien]

3-D digital x-ray specs powered by wing harmonics of the lesser spotted blue bottle...Loz...........bit old hat....


P